dizzying day

I am sure that there aren't many on this planet, who appreciate today's glorious sunshine as much as we do here in south central Wisconsin! Yesterday's snowstorm was the final slap in a season that has been nothing but unkind to us. Whereas I read that it was 81F (27C) in Paris and 70F (21C) in Warsaw, we were stuck at the freezing point all day long. And the snow and ice fell hard, pounding relentlessly at the roads, at our gardens, at anyone who dared venture out.

Ah, but this morning, this still and peaceful morning, there isn't a cloud in the sky. I come out just at sunrise and though it is still just below freezing, I know that this scene of winter loveliness will not last long.






It is enchanting!






No matter where you look, there is a quilt of snow.






And it stays with us all morning long.






The farmette, in lacy loveliness.







Should we ski? The snow is heavy and wet and that lovely sunshine is sure to do its bit to make gliding a challenge. Nonetheless, it is deep enough! As deep as anything we've had this past season! Let's go, now, before breakfast, before it melts, let's get moving!

(Hey, where are you dashing off to??)






We head out to our local county park. Not surprisingly, we are not the only ones out with skis. Two other people are sporting that big grin that comes from having been handed a gift of a lovely skiing moment!

And it truly is a beautiful scene...






No, the turtles are not out, but the birdsong is strong, vibrant, as if we were in a meadow with buttercups and forget-me-nots rather than looking out on a field of snow.






At first, Ed complains that the snow is sticky. Glide, buddy, glide! The faster the better!

...With pauses to cast appreciative glances at the forest, so beautiful that it makes you smile at the magic of it all!






It does help to know that within a very short time, it will all be gone and we'll be on track with spring once more.

(Camera perched on tree branch...)






(One last one...)






At home now. Breakfast, hearty and delightful after the hour on skis.






By the time I pick up Snowdrop, the great melt has begun. In Madison, the south facing flowerbed at her school is almost without snow. And note that the girl herself is quite comfortable without a jacket.






We play for a short while at the farmhouse...






And then I take her home. We have a date to go to the park with her mommy.
I only need a sweater. Please, can you button all five buttons?







Time to go!
But I'm starving! (She displays perfect expression of inner anguish.)






Finally, the local playground, where, predictably, she is very happy.






We're joined by a sandhill crane. Who knew that cranes liked playgrounds?






Do cranes like stories? Here's someone who can tell you one.






So many games to play and things to do on a sunny April afternoon! And finally, the day is warm enough to do them.